Former lieutenant governor and state lawmaker Abel Maldonado filed papers Thursday to explore a run for governor.

The move allows Maldonado, a Santa Maria Republican, to begin raising money as he decides whether to challenge Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, who is up for re-election in 2014.

"It's time for a new direction. We need a new way," said Maldonado, 45. "Some will resist the change, and to those, I say you will like irrelevance even less. I think it's time that we move forward with some bold ideas, bold solutions and I believe we can do better as Californians."